Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE - fish4homes research reveals the extent of neighbourhood competitiveness in suburban Britain -

A survey out today from property expert fish4homes reveals UK citizens are so obsessed with ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ that over half (51%) begrudgingly dedicate precious Sunday afternoons tarting up the front of their houses, just to out-do the neighbours. In fact, householders are more concerned with keeping up appearances then they are with safeguarding their house prices (14%).

The fish4homes.co.uk survey, which polled over 1,000 homeowners, highlights that most of us unwillingly use our precious weekends to work on the front yard to give us that all-important, exclusive ‘kerbside appeal’, yet only a fifth confess to actually enjoying the labour.

Furthermore, the research shows a definite role reversal is happening when it comes to looking after the home exterior. Whilst men take charge of trimming hedges (51%), re-planting flower beds (85%) and cleaning front walls (14%) to show off in front of the neighbours, women are most likely to be found tackling major headaches such as re-painting doors (17%) fixing broken tiles (76%) and even scrubbing windows (78%).

Mark Fitzgerald-Cooke, national sales director fish4homes, comments: ”It is great to see that the UK is a nation of home enthusiasts and there's healthy competition between neighbours, yet people must make sure that they invest time and money in the interior as well as the exterior to get the most out of their home in the long run.

“After all, ‘first impressions’ may be important when prospective buyers view your property from the outside but once they step inside the door, it’s essential they are faced with an interior that’s in great shape to help secure the sale.”

In terms of differences in ‘kerbside appeal’ across the regions, the statistics show that three quarters of lazy Londoners admit to spending a mere 30 minutes weekly on tending to their house exterior, which is less than half of what the Scots spend (120 minutes). Geordies care most about having a perfect pathway leading up their home (82%), whilst the green-fingered Welsh enjoy tackling the more pruning type of activities (82%).

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For media enquiries about fish4homes, contact the fish4 team at Cow PR on 0207 684 6969 or fish4@cowpr.com. Alternatively, contact Katie Siegel at fish4 on 0208 600 6998 or katie.siegel@fish4.co.uk.

Further information about fish4, as well as all recent press releases, can be found at the fish4 media centre: http://media.fish4.co.uk/.

About fish4.co.uk

fish4 is the UK’s largest classified website for jobs, homes and cars with over 4 million unique users per month*. The company was developed in 1999 and is run by three of the biggest regional press groups: Newsquest Media Group, Trinity Mirror and Guardian Media Group Regional Newspapers. Collectively they account for over 60% of the UK’s regional press. fish4 advertises in over 500 regional newspapers and distributes its classified search facility on over 220 regional websites. For more info visit: www.fish4.co.uk
* Source: ABCe (Jobs) HBX (Homes/Cars) October 2006

About fish4homes:

fish4homes has a wide selection of properties for sale throughout Britain and is updated daily. Our extensive new developments database can help you find a brand new home in your area. The specialist lettings area also allows users to search for properties to rent. Among its additional services fish4homes holds a directory of estate agents, information on mortgages and conveyancing, provides neighbourhood reports, and offers a range of general advice and information on buying and selling your home. The website currently hosts 250,000 properties for sale and 70,000 for lettings from 7,000 estate agents. fish4homes has a unique user figure of 1.2million per month. www.fish4homes.co.uk